Ball

ABSTRACT

A ball with good durability and distinctive decoration is disclosed. The ball includes a cover having a plurality of panels bordering one another and a plurality of welts formed between the panels. Every adjacent two of the panels have respective margins extending towards the interior of the cover and sandwiching a corresponding one of the welts. The margins and one of the welts are joined together with one or more lines of stitches. The welts may be colored differently from the panels or differently from each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a machine sewn or hand sewn balland, more particularly, to a ball with improved durability anddistinctive decoration.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] As illustrated in FIG. 4, a ball, such as Am. football,volleyball, basketball, soccerball and the like, typically includes acover (20) formed by a plurality of panels (21) bordering one another.It is known that the panels (21) are joined together by lines ofstitches (23), which may become exposed at the junctures after properinflation of the ball via its valve (22).

[0005] In detail, the panels (21) are arranged so that every adjacenttwo of them have respective margins extending towards the interior ofthe cover (20). The margins are joined together by one or more lines ofthe stitches (23) in a way as shown in FIG. 5.

[0006] A problem arises in that the ball is less durable than expected,because the exposed stitches (23) will become worn during play, such asby abrasion and impact with the ground, and will be eventually brokenmuch long before the panels (21) will be. Obviously, the panels (21) cannot be resewn together and so this results in a significant waste ofmaterial.

[0007] Therefore, it is an objective of the invention to provide a ballto mitigate and/or obviate the aforementioned problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a ball withimproved durability.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a ball withdistinctive decoration.

[0010] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the inventionwill become more apparent from the following detailed description whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a ballin accordance with the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is an expanded view of a part of the ball shown in FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-section view of the ball shown inFIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional ball; and

[0015]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-section view of the conventionalball shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a ball in accordance with the presentinvention includes a cover (10) having a plurality of panels (11) eachbordering one another along welts (13). A valve (12) is arranged in thecover (10) at one of the panels (11).

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the panels (11) are flexible andoriginally flat. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the panels (11) are bentin such a way that every adjacent two of them have respective marginsthat extend towards the interior of the cover (10) and sandwich one ofthe welts (13). The margins and the welt (13) are joined together by oneor more lines of stitches (14).

[0018] The welts (13) may have outer welts slightly projected from outerfaces of the panels (11), or alternatively flushed with the outer facesof the panels (11), as illustrated in FIG. 3, thereby hiding thestitches (14) at junctures between the panels (11) and preventing themfrom being worn during use.

[0019] Optically, the welts (13) may be colored differently from thepanels (11), or differently from each other, in order to provide adistinctive ornament for the inventive ball.

[0020] From the above description, it is noted that the invention hasthe following advantages:

[0021] 1. durability:

[0022] Because the stitches (14) are hidden and will not be worn outduring use, the inventive ball has a very good useful life.

[0023] 2. decoration:

[0024] Because of the welts (13) and the possible variations of theircolor(s), the inventive ball is commercially attractive.

[0025] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerouscharacteristics and advantages of the present invention have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with details of thestructure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrativeonly, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape,size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention tothe full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms inwhich the appended claims are expressed.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a ball of the type including a cover (10)having a plurality of panels (11) bordered one another, the improvementcomprising a plurality of welts (13) formed between said panels (11),every adjacent two of said panels (11) having respective marginsextending towards the interior of said cover (10) and sandwiching one ofsaid welts (13), said margins and said one of said welts (13) beingjoined together by at least one line of stitches (14).
 2. The ball asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said welts (13) have outer welts formedslightly projected from outer faces of said panels (11).
 3. The ball asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said welts (13) have outer welts formedflush with outer faces of said panels (11).
 4. The ball as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said welts (13) are colored differently from saidpanels (11).
 5. The ball as claimed in claim 1, wherein said welts (13)are colored differently from each other.